Cedar Falls Area Insight

Last night I stopped into the Other Place on University and I had a great experience! While The OP is well known for their pizza, which is amazing I must say, they have many other options like baked subs, salads, and an assortment of 'fresh breaded" appetizers and sandwiches. I would recommend OP to anybody!

Expect delays as the road construction on the Viking Road and Highway 27 intersection has begun again for the summer. This is going to be the last of three years of construction to improve traffic flow through the town and busy shopping area. Make plans to use a different route during the construction or give yourself extra time.

With spring time approaching it may be time to consider your home’s curb appeal and lawn care needs. Located just North of Cedar Falls they are available year round and offer a variety of services from lawn care, landscaping, irrigation, landscape lighting to even snow removal and holiday lighting for the winter months. Check out Wapsie Pines Lawn Care & Landscaping, they are here to help you improve and transform your outdoor living.

If you or someone you know is in need of quality childcare then I recommend Learn and Play Preschool and Daycare. With locations in Cedar Falls and Evansdale they operate and maintain the highest level quality service with a Level 5 QRS (quality rating system), from the Iowa Department of Human Services. The Evansdale location accepts children from age 6 weeks to 10 years while the Cedar Falls location accepts children age 6 weeks to preschool.

The Other Place (also referred to as The OP) is an amazing sports grill and pizzeria with 11 locations within Iowa and Kansas. Cedar Valley locations include two in Cedar Falls and one in each of Waterloo, Evansdale and Waverly. The menu has a variety of options from oven baked subs, sandwiches and wraps, soups and salad to their amazing pizzas and more! The OP is a great place to gather with family or friends for great food and great times.

Come join the Cedar Valley Make a Wish at the annual Walk for Wishes 5K. Each year it is held the last Saturday in April. This fun 5K walk/run is for all ages. The goal of the Walk for Wishes fundraiser is to raise enough money to sponsor at least one wish which is usually around $10,000. Beginning in 2019 there will also be a Family Fun Day with games, face painting, balloons and more. Come out for a walk or run and support this fantastic cause to help children with life threatening illness find strength, hope and joy! For more information go to www.iowa.wish.org.

It's the middle of March again which means the Eastern Iowa Sports Show is coming to the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls. Get ready for summer by seeing what is new in boats, rv's, truck accessories and more. This is a fantastic way to get ready for the summer season in Iowa. For more information see link below.

Known for their fantastic pizza, The Other Place in Cedar Falls has been around since 1970 and started on College Street in Cedar Falls. This "pizza joint" has much more than pizza. The menu includes salads, pastas, burgers and subs among other things. It has grown beyond "College Hill" to eight locations in Iowa and three in Kansas. One of the best pizzas around in my opinion. Check it out!

Natural Grocers is your one stop shop for all your natural food, body care, supplements, pet products and more. They even have classes on nutrition, recepies for healthy eating and other special events. If this is the year you want to get healthy, head to Natural Grocers.

This weekend I went to the Home and Garden show at 5 Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in Waterloo and Matthias Landscaping had a wonderful display set up. In talking to their staff they were professional and confident they could help with our landscaping needs. I have used them in the past and look forward to working with them again!

Second State Brewery has a mellow selection of great lagers and stouts that are wonderful to drink. Brewed in downtown Cedar Falls, this local brewery has great atmosphere and a pub feel. I highly recommend it.

I had dinner at Whiskey Road this past weekend and they truly have really great food! I had the open faced brisket with mashed potatoes and gravy. It was really delicious! Everyone at our table loved what they had. If you haven't tried it yet I would recommend checking it out.

The UNI men's basketball team plays against the Drake Bulldogs, Saturday, February 9th at 5:00 p.m. at the McCleod Center on the UNI campus in Cedar Falls. This should be a great inner state match up between the two teams.

We just enjoyed a great dinner at Los Cabos in downtown Cedar Falls this past weekend. It was our first time there and we were not disappointed! It was a pleasant surprise to see how quaint and charming, with all of the Mexican decor..and fabulous pitcher of Margaritas! I enjoyed shrimp fajitas, which were delicious. Generous portions and great chips and salsa! We will definitely be back again.

What a great idea! To have a fundraiser on Groundhog Day. This year it is going to be Saturday, February 2nd at Cedar Heights Community Presbyterian Church starting at 4:00 p.m. Join them for their annual troop fundraiser that allows their troop to replenish the camp trailer, supplies, and advancement awards for scouts. This dinner includes a BBQ pork sandwich, baked beans, chips, and dessert. Tickets are $6 per person and are available from any scout in Troop 55 or at the door. Children three and under are free. Silent auction items will also be available. Come enjoy this annual event and support Troop 55!

On February 22, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. enjoy the Shanghai Opera Symphony Orchestra at the Gallagher Bluedorn-University of Northern Iowa. For tickets or information go to GBPAC.COMor call 1-877-549-7469. Come out and enjoy the music.

RE/MAX HOME GROUP is presenting it's Magical Mix Kids 20th Anniversary Auction on Friday, January 25, 2019 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Cedar Falls. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the Live Auction is at 8:15 p.m. Call 319-232-7100 or 319-266-7100 for more information.

I would highly suggest going to The OP on University Ave, Cedar Falls for lunch and dinner. I had the best taco pizza there. I have also had the house and all meat pizza that is equally amazing. They also make great homemade chicken fingers. It is worth a trip and find out for yourself.

The 20th Annual Magical Mix Kids Auction is this Friday, January 25th at the Hilton Garden Inn. It is a fun night with a live and silent auctions and hosted by 93.5 Jamie Coloff. It is a great night for a wonderful cause!